CTDC, in collaboration with Mawjoudin, has carried out a series of successful workshops on organisational development and strategic thinking. The workshops also focused on sexuality and gender, enabling a lively discussion that was representative of different segments of Tunisian society.

The training offered by CTDC focused in particular on improving strategic thinking and planning. Topics included thinking effectively about long term organisational planning, rethinking sexual rights movements or organisations, working efficiently with one another in an often challenging setting. CTDC also discussed the need to use appropriate terminology when addressing sexual rights given the often-sensitive nature of such an issue.

The workshops were all extremely well received by participants. Attendance was high and the level of engagement was excellent. One of the attendees said that: “This training course has exceeded my expectations in terms of strategic thinking and planning”. Another participant said that: “The trainers were very friendly and capable. They were equipped with the skills to deliver the training in a coherent manner.” We also learnt so much from those who participated, and were grateful for the egalitarian and professional nature of the discussions. This enabled an extremely successful set of workshops for both trainers and trainees.

As such, CTDC would like to express our sincere thanks to all those who attended. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with such an inspiring group of activists. The atmosphere was collaborative, providing a safe space for everyone involved. Following the workshops, CTDC will continue to support the activists as they work on taking their training forward. We will also be providing mentorship and support for this group in the coming months in order to meet our project objectives. We are particularly pleased with how well the workshops went given the nature of a number of our project goals. Firstly, the workshops embodied a democratic and non-discriminatory quality that we believe ought to enhance the democratic space available to Tunisian activists. The workshops also expanded the capacity of such activists to come together to support one another in their work. The collaboration that was witnessed during the course of the workshops also helps to ensure the likelihood that activist organisations will develop sustainably from the grass roots.

CTDC is incredibly excited to be taking this work forward by fostering a long-term partnership with activists in Tunisia. It is hoped that our collaborative work here will enable long-term improvements in the conditions facing marginalised communities.

Last month, CTDC had the pleasure of working with a number of UCL Global Citizenship Programme Interns. During their time at our offices, they put together a brilliant video outlining the situation facing marginalised sexual communities in the Greater Maghreb. The video also highlights the legal challenges confronting marginalised asylum seekers.

They also supported CTDC’s Regional Advocacy Action Plan (RAP) by putting together a research led funding application that, if successful, ought to significantly support our operational capacity.

Research completed by the UCL Interns unravelled a number of major legal barriers and challenges to sexual rights in the MENA region. In applying this research, they were able to develop a workable advocacy plan that focused on marginalised sexual group rights in the region. Their research considered the important need for grassroots change, adopting key CTDC methodologies.

Antonia Lee commented that her time with CTDC had been an “invaluable opportunity. The fact that CTDC as an organisation exists is amazing, and your approach to advocacy really has allowed me to see beyond the disillusionment surrounding academia and NGOs. There is hope.”